(Harrisburg, PA)—Approximately 200 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in the Harrisburg area for the 15th annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association) to be held October 21-23, 2007 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill.

“This conference is dedicated to assist principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders with the many initiatives such as AYP, IDEIA, Act 1, NCLB and others they ecounter on a daily basis,” explained Marshall J. Wagner, the 2007 conference chairperson and a retired principal from the Hollidaysburg Area School District.

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has been selected to receive the PA Principals Association’s prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2007. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of education excellence in the state’s elementary and secondary schools. Senator Specter has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth.The award will be presented to the Senator during PA Principals Association’s annual banquet (6:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2007).

In addition to the more than 80 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of professional and informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees during the three-day conference. Jeffrey B. Clay, Esq., is the executive director of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS). His presentation, “Your Pension — Will It Be There When You Are Ready To Retire?” will be given at the First General Session from 2:45-4:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 21.

Ron Clark, teacher, presenter and co-founder of the Ron Clark Academy, has dedicated his life to impacting the lives of children. He will present “The Ron Clark Story,” a message of hope, dedication and the will to never let anything stand in the way of your hopes and dreams at the Second General Session from 8:30-10 a.m. on Monday, October 22.

Also presenting on Monday is Neil Howe, best-selling author and national speaker. He gives audiences powerful insights on today’s generation and the long-term picture. His presentation, “Educating the Millennial Generation,” will be given at the Third General Session from 3:45-5 p.m. on Monday, October 22.

As the final general session speaker on Tuesday, October 23, Michael I. Levin, Esq., PA Principals Association’s chief legal counsel and president of Levin Legal Group in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., will present the “Legal Update” at the Fourth General Session from 9:45-11 a.m.

Other distinguished speakers and guests include the president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Barry Stark, principal of Norris Middle School, Neb.; and president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, Mary Kay Sommers, principal of Shepardson Elementary School, Fort Collins, Colo. Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Pennsylvania’s Education Secretary, has also been invited to attend.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PA Principals Association director of communications at (717) 732-4999 (office telephone), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paprincipals.org.

PA Principals Association’s Mission: The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals is dedicated to assuring that every Pennsylvania child receives the very best education possible. In carrying out this mission, the association recognizes that the early elementary years are most crucial to successful lifelong learning, that appropriate middle level programs are essential for successful adolescent maturation and development and that strong high school programs are critical for preparing youth for successful entry and transition into adulthood.

PA Principals Association recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.